Remembering what medications to take and when to take them can be a challenging task, especially for seniors who often times take multiple pills a day.

WEBVTT PLACE TO MAKE THE PROCESS LESSDAUNTING.TAYLOR UNDERSTANDINGMEDICATIONS IS ONE PROBLEM ANDKNOWING WHEN TO TAKE THEM ISANOTHER TEST.>> I LOVE THE SENIOR POPULATIONTHAT THEY REALLY NEED THAT EXTRACARE.AND A COMPREHENSIVEUNDERSTANDING OF WHATMEDICATIONS THEY ARE ON TOEMPOWER THEM.TAYLOR: DALTON IS A PHARMACISTAT NEBRASKA MEDICINE INBELLEVUE.SHE SAYS ON AVERAGE, SENIORSTAKE 5-10 PILLS A DAY.>> SOMETIMES, THEY DO NOT GETTHAT OR THEY ARE CONFUSED.YOU SEE IT MORE OFTEN THAN WHATYOU WOULD THINK.TAYLOR: WITH DIFFERENT DOCTORSAND PROVIDERS IN THE MIX,PHARMACISTS ARE CONSTANTLYCHECKING TO BE SURE THAT SENIORSARE ON THE RIGHT MEDICATIONS ANDTHAT NONE CONFLICT.>> WE KNOW IT IS DIFFICULT.TAYLOR: SHE WORKS AT THISPHARMACY.THROUGH THE NEW MED SCHPROGRAM.THEY ARE TAKING A PROACTIVEAPPROACH.>> THEY CAN HAVE ALL OF THEIRMEDICATIONS FILLED AT ONCE -- ATONE TIME EACH MONTH.TAYLOR: KEEPING COMMUNICATIONS-- KEEPING COMMUNICATION LINESOPEN.>> WE DO ALL OF THE WORK FORTHEM.TAYLOR: ONCE SENIORS STOCK UP ONTHEIR MEDICATIONS, THEY GETEXTRA HELP LIKE SUGGESTIONS.>> PUT IT BY YOUR COFFEE MAKER.WHEN YOU TAKE YOUR COFFEE IN THEMORNING, THAT IS I YOU REMEMBERTO TAKE YOUR MEDICINE.TAYLOR: IF THAT DOES NOT DO THETRICK, THERE IS ALWAYS SOMEONETO HELP.ALEXANDR DALTON SAYS MANYPEOPLE STORE THEIR PILLS IN THEBATHROOM.

Helping seniors manage medications

Remembering what medications to take and when to take them can be a challenging task, especially for seniors who often times take multiple pills a day.

Remembering what medications to take and when to take them can be a challenging task, especially for seniors who often times take multiple pills a day.

"I love the senior population, but they really sometimes need that extra care and a comprehensive understanding of what medications they're on to empower them, to manage their disease states the most appropriately," said Orie Dalton, pharmacist at Nebraska Medicine - Bellevue.

Dalton said on average seniors take 5-10 pills a day, but some are on up to 15 medications.

"Sometimes they don't get that, or sometimes they're confused and you see it a lot more often then, unfortunately then what you would think," Dalton said.

With different doctors and providers in the mix, pharmacists are constantly checking to make sure seniors are on the right medications and that none of them conflict.

"We know it's difficult," said Misha Nadeau, pharmacist at Kubat Pharmacy. "That's why we try to be there for them."

Through its new medication synchronization program, Kubat Pharmacy is taking a proactive approach when it comes to helping seniors manage their meds.

"They can have all their medications filled and due at the same time of each month," Nadeau said. "That way they're getting all their medications one time of the month and either by picking it up or delivering."

Nadeau said the program keeps the communication lines open between customers, pharmacists and doctors.

"We kind of do all the work for them, that way it's all ready to go," Nadeau said.

Once seniors stock up on their medications, then comes storing and taking them. Common pointers include setting a timer and storing pills on a nightstand or kitchen counter.

"Put it by your coffeemaker and when you take your coffee in the morning, that's how you remember to take your medicine," Dalton said.

If that doesn't seem to do the trick, Dalton said there's always someone to help.

"There's nothing like what a pharmacist can do for you," Dalton said. "That's her job. That's what we're an expert at."

Dalton said many people make the common mistake of storing pills in the bathroom, which is often a hot and humid place. She said people should store them at room temperature in a place they can remember.

Remembering what medications to take and when to take them can be a challenging task, especially for seniors who often times take multiple pills a day.

"I love the senior population, but they really sometimes need that extra care and a comprehensive understanding of what medications they're on to empower them, to manage their disease states the most appropriately," said Orie Dalton, pharmacist at Nebraska Medicine - Bellevue.